Writing Prompts

Creative, structured writing prompts to guide students through

brainstorming, drafting, and revising

Respond to the Quote!

Sometimes students need to sit and write. No phones. No articles to read. Nothing. Just paper, a pencil, and ideas. The following worksheets require students to respond to a quote. That’s it. There are quotes from scientists, anthropologists, philosophers, athletes,

Choose Your Prompt (Writing Activities)

Here are mini-ebooks to motivate and encourage your students to write. The ebook format is “fresh” (at least that is why my students say). And students are given choice for each task – which they like. . Thanks again for

Choose 5 Adjectives to Describe Yourself!

Worksheet: Video Explanation:

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Writing Prompts

Here’s an assortment of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Writing Prompts All these prompts cater to one of SEL’s five core competencies: How Can You Build Your Creative Courage? Worksheet: What Does Courage Look Like For Me? Worksheet: Find Your

Mr. Beast Classroom Activities!

Activity 1: Edit and Rewrite the Quotes Worksheet: Activity 2: Edit the Quotes Worksheet Activity 3: Analyze a Video by Mr. Beast Worksheet: Activity 4: Mr. Beast Article and Comprehension Questions Activity 5: Pitch a Video Idea to Mr. Beast!

Emoji Activities

If you want to stir up creativity in your classroom, try using emojis. Here are some fun writing tasks that have worked well for me. I hope they help! Write a 10-Sentence Emoji Story #1: Write a 10-Sentence Emoji Story

“About Me” TikTok Script: 10-Sentence Challenge!

Your mission: Write a 10-sentence TikTok script about yourself. Each sentence must include the specific literary device listed below. Worksheet:

SOCIAL MEDIA Writing Activities!

Social media is a great topic to leverage student knowledge. Here’s a set of activities you can use Activity 1: Create a Social Media Platform Worksheet: Activity 2: Why is Social Media BENEFICIAL for Society? Worksheet: Activity 3: Worksheet: Activity

Argument Prompt: Should Violent Video Games be Banned for Children?

Video: Worksheet:

10-Sentence Argument Challenge (CER Edition)

Worksheet:

What is Textual Evidence?

Among Us video thumbnail

Rhetorical Devices

Hyperbole Worksheet: What is Alliteration? Worksheet: Alliteration What is a Metaphor? Worksheet: What is an extended metaphor? Worksheet: Find the Metaphor Worksheet: What is a Simile? Worksheet: What is Symbolism? Worksheet: What is Imagery? Worksheet: Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning Denotation

Rhetorical Devices (Mini-lessons)

Google Drive file with concise mini-lessons explaining key rhetorical devices, each with definitions, examples, and quick practice activities https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S-x3VRGy0cuTaKTsV7gupIZZqZ91dHVsKEHOoslkpoE/edit?tab=t.0

Rhetorical Appeal

Google Drive file with concise mini-lessons on rhetorical appeals—ethos, pathos, and logos—featuring definitions, examples, and quick practice prompts. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1csuWOcruvpEjLH5SOsUSzv64OfYP5WEGgOQbZzViLS4/edit?tab=t.0

Writing Prompt: Describe Your Dream Car!

Have students watch the video and complete the worksheet given.

Who is the GOAT?

Can your students write about their GOAT by using specific claims and evidence? Worksheet: If you like what you see with Tolentino Teaching, you can donate here. Thank you!

Defend, Challenge, or Qualify the Quote (Argumentative Writing Mini-Unit)

Your mission is simple: Defend, challenge, or qualify the quotes given. Quotes are a great tool for learning how to argue. They are short, yet packed with meaning–and they can be interpreted in various ways. Quotes give you the chance

Argue with MAYA ANGELOU!

Video explanation: Worksheet: Get the Entire Argument Unit Here:

Defend, Challenge, or Qualify the Quote J.R.R. Tolkien

Video Explanation: Worksheet: Donate Here:

Do Aliens Exist?

I love ideas.  I love theories. I love it when students have unique viewpoints that they must write down and attempt to explain. Here is a fun prompt that will get students theorizing, arguing, and writing. I hope it helps!

Travel Writing

Travel writing can be a great way for students to show off their creativity.  Here are 10 worksheets with QR codes. Students scan the QR code to get a 4k video of their destination. Students then watch the video and

Famous Travel Destinations TRIVIA!

More trivia activities here: Donate to Tolentino Teaching here:

Writing Prompt: Travel Back in Time, or Take a Journey into the Future?

Write About a View That CAPTIVATED You!

I love traveling. I love cultures, foreign languages, new smells, and the sensory exhilaration that comes from travel. And I really love how a view can jolt me – filling me with wonder and awe. Here is a chance for

Writing Prompt: Describe Your Hometown!

Here’s your task: Paint a vivid picture of your hometown. Where did you grow up? What was the atmosphere like—the people, the culture, the daily rhythm of life? How did the weather shape your experiences? Were there towering mountains in

The Time Traveler Tale!

Write a 10-sentence creative story about a TIME TRAVELER! Worksheet Here: More writing challenges here: Donate here:

Choose Your Word of the Year for 2026!

Video: Worksheet:

Teaching Resources to Jumpstart the New Year!

Worksheet: 2) Write a Letter to the New Year Video: Worksheet: 3) The “Six-Seven” Resolution Challenge! 4) Choose Your Person of the Year for 2025! Worksheet 5) 10-Sentence Lock-in Challenge (2026) 6) New Year Resolution Challenge! 7) Mid-Year Reflection: Worksheet:

Spelling Challenge Paragraph (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Over the past five years, I’ve noticed a steady decline in students’ ability to copy writing accurately from the board or a screen—and I mean simply copying what’s there. Attention to spelling, punctuation, and capitalization is often missing. To address

100th Day of School Writing Challenge!

College and Career Activities for the Classroom!

Here is a set of activities aimed for students to research and learn about colleges and careers. Google Doc of Activities Here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JoSpoLq-A_M80ccR32dFWRLIOpKMN1tU0Oip47qK4NQ/edit?usp=sharing College: 2) Can You Guess the University From Only a Logo? 3) The Secret to Writing an

Halloween/Scary Writing Prompts

2. This activity aims to build a comparative lens when it comes to Halloween and Dia de Muertos. 3. Create a scary story from one of the following sentence starters! 4. Write a Story Using 4 Emojis! Worksheet: 5. Write

Write a Creative Story in Response to the Picture Given!

Video Here: Worksheet: More creative writing prompts here:

Video Response Worksheets (Sports)

I am constantly looking to find ideas and topics my students enjoy. The goal is to leverage their interests to develop them as writers. For the following worksheets, students need to scan the QR code, watch the video given, then

Video Response Worksheets (Sports)

I am constantly looking to find ideas and topics my students enjoy. The goal is to leverage their interests to develop them as writers. For the following worksheets, students need to scan the QR code, watch the video given, then

Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech (Video, Text, and Response Questions)

Video: Worksheet and Questions:

Respond to 17-Year-Old Tupac Shakur

Here is a great video for students to think intergenerationally, and to ponder the role teenagers play in society. Many students (at least mine) think highly of Tupac – so this interview could resonate with them. Extra Activity: Respond to

Silent Debate (10 Activities)

For this task, you’re going to have an argument with a classmate — but there’s a twist: you won’t be speaking at all. Instead, you will argue on paper. You’ll share your ideas, respond to your partner, and try to

You Get 10 Million Dollars If…!

So here is your situation. You are holding 10 million dollars right now. However, you only keep this money under certain conditions. A snail will chase you for the rest of your life, and if it touches you – you

Argument Prompt: Should Violent Video Games be Banned for Children?

Video: Worksheet:

10-Sentence Argument Challenge (CER Edition)

Worksheet:

Choose Your Word of the Year for 2026!

Video: Worksheet:

Teaching Resources to Jumpstart the New Year!

Worksheet: 2) Write a Letter to the New Year Video: Worksheet: 3) The “Six-Seven” Resolution Challenge! 4) Choose Your Person of the Year for 2025! Worksheet 5) 10-Sentence Lock-in Challenge (2026) 6) New Year Resolution Challenge! 7) Mid-Year Reflection: Worksheet:

Choose 5 Adjectives to Describe Yourself!

Worksheet: Video Explanation:

Writing Mini-Lessons!

This Google Doc has been getting a lot of love on Facebook, so I’m continuing to add more resources. I’ve also made it more YouTube-friendly for easier use. I hope it’s helpful—and I hope you all have an amazing Sunday!

“About Me” TikTok Script: 10-Sentence Challenge!

Your mission: Write a 10-sentence TikTok script about yourself. Each sentence must include the specific literary device listed below. Worksheet:

It’s Over: The Break-up Letter

Worksheet:

Spelling Challenge Paragraph (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Over the past five years, I’ve noticed a steady decline in students’ ability to copy writing accurately from the board or a screen—and I mean simply copying what’s there. Attention to spelling, punctuation, and capitalization is often missing. To address

Guess the Writer

Worksheet:

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